Native know-how: Compass Carriers enjoying growth, success.

• Date: 01 July 2013
• Author: Cowan, Liz

In one year. Compass Carriers in Timmins has grown from one truck to 10, currently operating seven days a week around the clock.

The Aboriginal business, which is part of the Mattagami Group LP, got its start following a discussion at a restaurant.

"The business kind of' evolved out of a discussion about three years ago, between myself and Chris McKay from Mattagami First Nation (MFN)," said CEO Peter Bazinet. "At that time, we identified an opportunity with Lake Shore Gold, for an ore haulage contract. We agreed we would form a limited partnership, with MFN and BazCorp, and both entities are Aboriginal."

Negotiations began with Lake Shore Gold, which has its Timmins West Complex, 18 kilometres west of the city. Its milling facility is east of Timmins and Compass currently hauls the mine's ore to that site.

"It was a very comprehensive process and took us well over a year. We...